Common Questions

What is the age requirement to participate on a short-term trip?

Adult trips are for 18 years and older. Motion trips are designated for students Jr High to College age. If a trip is designated as a family trip then children may attend with a parent. The required age of child varies by trip, but 6 years is youngest we allow. Please contact us for more information at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

How will I know you received my application?

You should receive an email within minutes of applying, confirming that Highlands has received your application. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at missions@churchofthehighlands.com.

By applying, am I committing to the trip? When am I officially committed?

No, you are not committing by submitting your application. The application puts you on the contact list, but your application is not complete and your space on the team is not reserved until you have made the $100 non-refundable deposit.

What are the requirements to be part of a missions team?

You do not have to be a member or regular attender at Highlands, but we may give preference to members. You do need to agree to the participation agreement in the application, and attend the four team meetings that will take place before the trip.

What does the trip cost include?

The trip cost is all-inclusive and covers the flight, all meals, ministry supplies, transportation on the ground, and lodging. It does not include passport fees, snacks, or souvenirs.

Where do I get the money to go on a trip?

Each team member has the opportunity to personally contribute and raise his or her own financial support in order to go on a short-term mission trip. We have found that many people don’t have the time or ability to go on a short-term mission trip but have the desire to be involved in some way. We ask, therefore, that every person going on a trip raise his/her funds by writing letters to friends and family sharing the goal of the trip and the financial requirements to make the trip happen.

What if I don’t have a passport?

If your passport expires less than six months after your departure date, you will need to renew your passport as soon as possible. Additionally, if you have a non-U.S. passport, you are responsible for finding out if a visa is required for you to travel to a specific country.

Do I have to attend the specific campus if listed on a trip?

All campuses are welcome to attend any trip. If there is a designated campus that means that the team meetings will occur at that campus. If a campus is not designated the team will be meeting at Grants Mill.

Can I join a Highlands College Trip?

You must be a full-time Highlands College student to participate in a Highlands College trip.

Who can attend Motion trips?

Motion trips are open to students Sr. High- College age. We encourage parents who want to serve on a trip with their student to join a family trip.

What happens to my application if the trip is full?

If the trip is full your application goes on a waiting list. If a space opens up on the team you will receive an email to let you know. If a leader of another trip is still looking for people for his or her team, then he or she may contact you to see if you are interested.

Can I travel to another destination or stay longer at my destination?

No, it is imperative for team unity and liability reasons that all trip participants travel together.

Is safety an issue?

We have taken every precaution possible to mitigate unnecessary risks involved with our short term trips. We continually monitor the personal, social, political, and environmental factors that might heighten the security issues of our teams and consider the security of our teams very important.